India and Canada are likely to sign some agreements. Other issues on the table for discussions recognition of Indian medical degrees in Canada, modification of Super Visa regime for parents and grandparents of Canadian Indians, trade and investment, counter-terrorism, education, science and technology, mining and exploration of oil and gas.
Canada’s Super Visa regime is very costly and cumbersome and Canadian Indians have voiced their demand for its modification. Defence sales by Canada is ruted through private sector and this may come up for discussion.
India and Canada had signed a bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2010, Canada has spoken in favour of India’s safeguard arrangement at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It is also inclined to supply uranium for civil nuclear power projects in India.
Harper along with his wife Laureen Harper are slated to arrive in India on Sunday evening and proceed to Agra. He will come back to Delhi on Monday and visit the Humayun tomb.On Tuesday he will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) andfter completion of necessary protocol arrangements he will meet the Indian Prime Minister for delegation level talks.
Harper is leading a high level ministerial, official and business delegation, including the Minister of International Trade and Asia-Pacific Gateway, Edward Fast, Minister of State for Democratic Reforms, Tim Uppal, Minister of State for Sports, Bal Gosal.
This is Harper’s second visit to India and for the first time on a State Visit to India. He last visited India in November 2009.
On Wednesday Harper is slated to address the World Economic Forum hosted in the satellite township Gugaon, close to New Delhi.. He will also depart for Chandigarh and meet the Governor of Punjab. Harper’s visit to Chandigarh is significant as the Indian diaspora in Canada consists largely of people from Punjab.
On Thursday he will visit the IT-city, Bengaluru and will be the guest of the Governor of Karnataka and will leave India on Friday.
On the visit of Canadian PM Stephen Harper, Nov 4-9, 2012
Canada’s uranium sale on top of Singh-Harper agenda
ASHOK B SHARMA - 2012-11-04 09:09
New Delhi: Modalities for the sale of uranium to India is likely to be on the agenda when the visiting Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper meet the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh here on Tuesday for delegation level talks.